TN: 2005 Copain Syrah Hawks Butte Yorkville Highlands

[Frank_Murray_III]

Draining now the bottle of our 2005 Copain Hawks Butte that I opened yesterday, thought I would post my final tasting note. I’ll offer that the Hawks Butte is where the class of the style that Wells makes really shows. It doesn’t have the push or throttle of the James Berry or Thompson but like with 2003 vintage, which I suspect this will evolve similarly to, it represents finesse and a different expression. For me, there is room in my cellar for this style, as it still retains some of the weight I prefer in my CA syrah. But, like with everything, you can be your own judge. FWIW, I plan to grab a few more of these from JJ Buckley, who has them offered for a fair price.

• 2005 Copain Syrah Hawks Butte Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands (5/16/2009)
  First bottle of my 3 pack. At this stage of decant (90 mins), sits in the middle of restrained and opulent. Lots of juicy blackberry, black raspberry, lard, some menthol, some peppercorn. Has the embers, the component feel of stems. In a way, like the 2003, in that it’s classy, balanced and more subtle than big. Let’s see how another 24 hours treats it…so, with a big pour the size of a bucket it seems, I finish the last glass a day later. Blackberry, loam, meat, some ink, faint licorice, even a dusting of chalk today. The tart streak that has been mentioned about this wine does appear on the finish, but it gives the wine a lift along with an earthy/soily edge and a black raspberry coating. The stemmy notes are receded, yet still provide some of the menthol around the sides of the wine to remind it’s at play. As for aging potential, there is enough acidity and chalky tannin in this wine to hold it well, along with medium + density so age another 2 years if you like. Or, if you drink now, provide several hours of decant. I’m going to source a couple more.

Posted from CellarTracker

[Mo_K_a_n_g]

@Frank Murray III

Draining now the bottle of our 2005 Copain Hawks Butte that I opened yesterday, thought I would post my final tasting note. I’ll offer that the Hawks Butte is where the class of the style that Wells makes really shows. It doesn’t have the push or throttle of the James Berry or Thompson but like with 2003 vintage, which I suspect this will evolve similarly to, it represents finesse and a different expression. For me, there is room in my cellar for this style, as it still retains some of the weight I prefer in my CA syrah. But, like with everything, you can be your own judge. FWIW, I plan to grab a few more of these from JJ Buckley, who has them offered for a fair price.

• 2005 Copain Syrah Hawks Butte Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands (5/16/2009)
  First bottle of my 3 pack. At this stage of decant (90 mins), sits in the middle of restrained and opulent. Lots of juicy blackberry, black raspberry, lard, some menthol, some peppercorn. Has the embers, the component feel of stems. In a way, like the 2003, in that it’s classy, balanced and more subtle than big. Let’s see how another 24 hours treats it…so, with a big pour the size of a bucket it seems, I finish the last glass a day later. Blackberry, loam, meat, some ink, faint licorice, even a dusting of chalk today. The tart streak that has been mentioned about this wine does appear on the finish, but it gives the wine a lift along with an earthy/soily edge and a black raspberry coating. The stemmy notes are receded, yet still provide some of the menthol around the sides of the wine to remind it’s at play. As for aging potential, there is enough acidity and chalky tannin in this wine to hold it well, along with medium + density so age another 2 years if you like. Or, if you drink now, provide several hours of decant. I’m going to source a couple more.

Posted from CellarTracker

My favorite Copain syrah. The 2003 is one the best syrahs that I have ever had, just fantastic with food-- a savory expression of syrah with olive notes, perfect balance. Gotta open another soon. Tonight could be a night for the 2005…